Blog Posts

By Michael J. Searcy

If you’ve reached the month of March and your New Year’s Resolutions have completely flown out the window, you’re not alone. A Journal of Clinical Psychology report found that only eight percent of people are successful in achieving their resolutions. They also noted the number of money related resolutions was near thirty-four percent, so the low success rate is troubling because failing at smart money management can impact your future. Let the following six habits for smart money management serve as a guideline to help you get your finances in order and make life-long, healthy financial choices:

By Marc C. Shaffer

Most people would not complain about unexpected money coming their way, but knowing what to do with the money can pose an opportunity for some and a challenge for others. You may have received a large year-end bonus or even a significant monetary gift for the holidays. Perhaps you will be receiving a significant refund from your taxes in the next few months. Do you have a plan for how you would manage your money in this situation? Before you find an influx of cash burning a hole in your pocket, consider these tips for responsibly managing unexpected money:

By Marc C. Shaffer

Over the past few months, I have participated in six weddings. My guess is not a single one of the happy couples had Social Security spousal benefits in mind as they made the decision to merge their lives, both spiritually and financially. Social Security benefits may seem like less of a concern for these young couples; each of them has decades to go before reaching retirement age. However, for couples currently nearing retirement, the choices they make regarding Social Security can have a dramatic impact on their financial future.

By: Marc C. Shaffer

As you and your spouse near retirement, have you considered if filing and suspending your Social Security benefits makes sense for your needs and lifestyle? You can only file and suspend benefits if you are at or above full retirement age, but the act allows your spouse to begin collecting spousal benefits, while your benefit accumulates delayed retirement credits. The ability to receive a higher monthly payout before activating your full retirement benefits is an attractive option to many couples, but it is helpful to have an advisor walk you through the specifics before you make a decision.

By: Michael J. Searcy

When a law firm was told they needed to pay $40,000 into their cash balance plan to cover a non-highly compensated individual, they decided a financial second opinion might be beneficial. After meeting with an advisor that helped interpret the language they didn’t understand from their actuary, they knew their second opinion request had paid off. They discovered they could classify the employee in a more appropriate way and need only fund about $2,000 to the plan!

Getting a financial second opinion could be one of the most important financial decisions you make this year. Sometimes the findings can solidify the fact that your current advisor is doing a great job, giving you peace of mind about the advisor you have chosen.

By: Michael J. Searcy

Working with a financial advisor requires a great amount of “trust” on your part, but that trust should not be developed based on feelings and verbal promises. Real trust can be built when you follow these 6 guidelines for choosing a financial advisor.

Know their structure.
There is a difference between a stockbroker and a financial advisor. Stockbrokers are in the business of giving advice on investment vehicles, while financial advisors can help with both investment advisement and developing a financial plan to reach your goals. However, some financial advisors may be limited in ways they can help you based on their professional affiliations.

By: Michael J. Searcy

When your children believe they are dealing with someone they know and trust, it can make them more vulnerable to undesirable situations. Did you know you can also fall victim to the “stranger danger” mentality of thinking that the only people who might cause you harm are people you don’t know?

Some Reasons Why People Do Business with Friends Include:
• Friendships are built on trust so you feel that trust would carry over to business
• Their verbal propositions seem caring and genuine
• You believe their knowledge of the industry is equal to others
• They offer you “extras” that non-friends wouldn’t receive